Cable clamp

ABSTRACT

Cable clamp comprises an L-shaped frame member having pivot pin extending from the upstanding arm of the L. Two clamping arms are pivoted to the pin on opposite sides thereof and are offset from the axis of the pin. A spring biases the lower ends of the arms, which are proximate to the base of the L, towards each other. To clamp cable, arms are swung in opposite directions so that the lower ends move away from each other. Cable is placed between arms and base and then move against, and clamp, the cable.

United States Patent: [1 1 Mayberry [4 1 Nov. 5, 1974 CABLE CLAMP [75] Inventor: Mickey Lee Mayberry, Pfafftown,

[73] Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

[22] Filed: June 11, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 369,032

[52] U.S. Cl 24/134 P, 24/249 PP, 24/254, 339/255 P [51] Int. Cl. F16g 11/03, Fl6g 11/04 [58] Field of Search 24/249 PP, 254, 249 PP, 24/249 DP, 132 HA, 132 HL, 132 SB, 134 P,

134 CP; 29/203 .1; 339/255 P [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 101,662 4/1870 Rohrer 24/134 P 164,229 6/1875 Sparhawk 24/134 P 746,671 12/1903 Carter 24/134 P 916,091 3/1909 Batzer 24/134 P 1,081,381 12/1913 Hakes 24/249 FP 1,208,874 12/1916 Wilson 24/132 R 1,563,817 12/1925 Wright 24/249 PP 2,817,993 12/1957 Burdwood 24/134 R 2,891,296 6/1959 Darde 24/254 3,067,516 12/1962 Jones 24/134 R Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fredcrick W. Raring; Jay L. Seitchik; William J. Keating 5 7 ABSTRACT Cable clamp comprises an L-shaped frame member having pivot pin extending from the upstanding arm of the L. Two clamping arms are pivoted to the pin on opposite sides thereof and are offset from the axis of the pin. A spring biases the lower ends of the arms, which are proximate to the base of the L, towards each other. To clamp cable, arms are swung in opposite directions so that the lower ends move away from each other. Cable is placed between arms and base and then move against, and clamp, the cable.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures 1 CABLE CLAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to clamps for clamping elongated articles such as electrical cables.

Application Ser. No. 354,028 and application Ser. No. 230,820 disclose and claim machines for inserting the conductors contained in a multi-conductor cable into terminals which are mounted in an electrical connector. In apparatus of the types shown in these applications, it is desirable to provide a clamp on the apparatus to grip the cable while the insertion operations are being carried out. The above-identified applications teach the use of a commercially available toggle linkage clamp for this purpose and these toggle clamps while satisfactory in many respects, are not ideally suited for clamping an electrical cable in the manner required.

The instant invention is, therefore, directed to the achievement of an improved cable clamp which is particularly intended for use with a conductor inserting apparatus of the type used to insert the conductors of the cable into a multicontact electrical connector. It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved cable clamp. A further object is to provide a relatively simple and reliable cable clamp which can be readily engaged with, and disengaged from, a cable. A further object is to provide a clamp having improved adjustment features to permit the clamping of cables of varying sizes.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a preferred embodiment thereof which is briefly described in the foregoing abstract, which is described in detail below, and which is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of cable clamp in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view which illustrates the manner in which a cable is calmped.

A preferred form of cable clamp 2 in accordance with the invention comprises an L-shaped frame member 4 having a base 6 and a sidewall 10, the upper surface 8 of the base serving as a supporting surface for the cable. An ear 12 is integral with, and extends from, the sidewall 10 and has an elongated vertically extending slot 14 therein.

A pivot pin 16 is provided above the surface 8 and extends transversely thereacross. This pin has an integral knob I8 on its free end and has a threaded reduced diameter inner end 20. The pin is mounted on the ear 12 by a nut 24 and which has a sliding fit in the slot 14 and which nut has an enlarged end 26 which extends beyond the slot and bears against the rightwardly facing surface (in FIG. 2) 23 of the ear. A washer 22 is interposed between the ear and the shoulder of the pin. It will be apparent that the pin 16 can be adjusted vertically by simply turning the knob 18 to loosen the nut 24 so that the enlarged end 26 is not clamped against the surface 23. The pin is then moved to the desired position, and the pin is turned to tighten the nut.

The cable 44 is clamped by means of a pair of platelike clamping arms 28, 28' having lower ends 30, 30' of which are proximate to the surface 8 and which are contoured as shown at 31 to conform to the surface of the cable. The arms 28, 28 have laterally extending cars 32, 34, 32, 34' extending from their side edges towards the pin 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the pin extends through aligned holes in these arms so that the arms are pivotally mounted on the pin, the arms 32, 32 being against each other on the lefthand side or end of the pin and the arms 34, 34' being against each other and against the washer 22. Torsion spring means 36 is providedon the pin between the ears 32', 34 and the tangentially extending arms 38, 38 of. this spring means extend to the edges of the ears, the ends 40, 40' of these arms being hooked over the edges of the ears 34, 34. This torsion spring thus biases the arms 28, 28 in opposite rotary directions so that the ends 30, 30' are normally against each other as shown in FIG. I. The upper ends, as viewed in FIG. I, of the arms are advantageously provided with platic covers 42, 42 which serve as finger grips when a cable is being placed in the clamp.

When a clamp in accordance with the invention is used with apparatus of the type disclosed in the aboveidentified applications Ser. No. 354,028 or 230,820, the frame 4 is fixed to the apparatus in any suitable manner at a convenient location. In the interest of simplicity, the clamp is shown in the drawing as having its base and sidewall 6, 10 secured by fasteners 48 to a bracket 46.

In use, when it is desired to clamp a cable against the surface 8, the clamp is opened by simply pressing the upper ends 42, 42' of the arms 28, 28' towards each other so that the lower ends 30, 30 will move away from each other along arcuate paths until there is sufficient clearance between the ends of the arms and the surface 8 for the cable. The cable 44 is then positioned on the surface 8 and the upper ends of the arms are released so that the arms will move towards each other until the lower ends engage the cable as shown in FIG. 3. When the cable is so engaged, the arm 30 will exert a force F, on the cable which is directed transversely of the cable and Ieftwardly as viewed in FIG. 3. If a tensile force is applied to the cable on the lefthand side of the clamp, the magnitude of this force F will be increased and the cable will be firmly held. The arm 28 exerts a force F, which is directed downwardly and diagonally rightwardly so that a tensile force applied to the righthand portion of the cable and on the righthand side of the clamp will similarly increase the magnitude of force F and again, the cable will be firmly secured or held. As mentioned previously, the pivot pin 16 is vertically adjustable to permit the clamping of cables of varying diameters.

It will be apparent from the foregoing with cable clamp in accordance with the invention presents substantial advantages particularly where the cable must be clamped adjacent to or on a conductor inserting apparatus as described in the above-identified applications. The cable can be readily mounted in, and removed from, the clamp and when clamped, a substantial bearing area is provided in the lower ends of the arms. Furthermore, cables of any size, within the practical limitations of the range of adjacent of the pin I6, can be accomodated.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the a plate-like member having a pair of aligned.

mounting ears extending from its side edges intermediate its ends, said clamping arms being spaced from said pivot pin on opposite sides thereof said ears extending towards, and being pivotally mounted on, said pivot pin, said clamping arms having clamping ends which are adjacent to said surface, and spring means on said pivot pin biasing said clamping ends in opposite directions such that saaid clamping ends are biased towards each other whereby, upon swinging said arms in opposite rotary directions against the biasing force of said spring means so that said clamping ends move away from each other. said cable can be placed on said surface. and upon movement of said clamping ends towards each other, said ends clamp said cable against said surface. 

1. A clamp for clamping cables intermediate their ends, said clamp comprising: a clamping plate having a supporting surface for supporting said cable, a single supporting arm extending from one side edge of said plate normally of said surface, a pivot pin adjustably mounted on said arm, said pin extending parallel to, and being spaced from, said surface and being adjustable towards and away from said surface, a pair of clamping arms, each of said arms comprising a platelike member having a pair of aligned mounting ears extending from its side edges intermediate its ends, said clamping arms being spaced from said pivot pin on opposite sides thereof said ears extending towards, and being pivotally mounted on, said pivot pin, said clamping arms having clamping ends which are adjacent to said surface, and spring means on said pivot pin biasing said clamping ends in opposite directions such that saaid clamping ends are biased towards each other whereby, upon swinging said arms in opposite rotary directions against the biasing force of said spring means so that said clamping ends move away from each other, said cable can be placed on said surface, and upon movement of said clamping ends towards each other, said ends clamp said cable against said surface. 